Calif. Marcus Semien didn’t have much time to think after making a diving stop on Salvador Perez’s Authentic Riley Dixon Jersey sharp grounder in the eighth inning. With Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield off third base and breaking for home, the Oakland shortstop had no one choice but to throw to the plate.
It worked out perfectly for both Semien and the A’s.

Chapman made a great swing but that swing doesn’t get us the win if Marcus doesn’t make that play, Treinen said. We were trying to call a sinker there because (Perez) swung through a good one down the pitch before. High percentage groundball/swing-and-miss pitch and he put a pretty good swing on it. Marcus made a better play.

As Mickey Callaway’s Mets meet Aaron Boone’s Yanks in Queens, both skippers have seen their share of back-page headlines for better and worse. Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports

When assessing managers, I’m always reminded of a quote attributed to Yogi Berra: It ain’t like football. You can’t make up no trick plays. It does help, however, to make sure your team bats in the correct order.